What do Ephraim Brown, 11, Jordan Manners 15, Jerome Bennett 15 and Jane Creba 15 have in common? They were all killed as innocence bystanders and targets of gun violence.

While I'm in favour of stronger penalties for anyone carrying and/or using handguns in Canada, I also realize that stronger penalties for criminals doesn't guarantee the safety of our children.

Only the Lord and his angels can stop an incident before it starts and that means having protectors on Earth as well as the spiritual world. A community and parents who are concerned about their children's connections and influences can go a long way in defusing the negative effects of gangs. We must learn to solve problems with each without resorting to violence.

Lord, teach them the way to peace, love and reconciliation.

We must also ask the Lord to watch over our children and send them along a safe path. When all else fails, children should be taken out of harm's way and placed with friends and spiritual allies.